Report: Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson late due to personal matter with his child

Muhammad Wilkerson will stay home Sunday when the Jets play the Saints in New Orleans.

Wilkerson, healthy, has been ruled out for the game, a coach’s decision made by Todd Bowles. The head coach would not explain why Wilkerson is being held out of the game, but NJ.com reported the defensive end was late to yet another meeting Friday.

Per Brian Costello and Zach Braziller of the New York Post, Wilkerson was late because he was dealing with a personal matter involving his kid. That’s according to Wilkerson’s agent, Chad Wiestling.

I spoke with Chad Wiestling, Mo Wilkerson’s agent. He said Wilkerson was indeed late, but Mo alerted Montelle Sanders, the team’s manager of player development, that he was going to be late because of a personal matter with his child this morning … (more)

Per the agent’s account, Wilkerson informed Jets manager of player development, Montelle Sanders, that he would be late because of his child, thus following team protocol. New York’s front office and coaching staff were then informed.

Bowles ruled Wilkerson out Sunday nonetheless. It is unclear what the situation was with Wilkerson’s child.

This is not Wilkerson’s first time being late. He’s been benched for a quarter once each of the last three seasons, the most recent punishment coming against the Chiefs a couple of weeks ago. NJ.com previously reported that Wilkerson is habitually late to team meetings and that he sometimes doesn’t even bother showing up.

Bowles would not elaborate on the decision to essentially suspend Wilkerson, nor did he care to discuss the player Friday.

“I’m just going to worry about the guys that are going to the game playing and go from there,” Bowles said.

Child emergency or not, Friday’s decision made it clear Bowles and the Jets are fed up with Wilkerson’s repeated tardiness. That means a spot on the couch instead of along the defensive line this Sunday.

At this point, it is clear Wilkerson will not play for the Jets beyond this season. New York can save $11 million against the salary cap by releasing him before the third day of the league year in March. There’s no doubt that will happen.

The only question now is if Wilkerson will play another game this season.

Like this article?

Sign up for the Jets Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning

Success

Thanks for signing up.
You'll be waking up a little more awesome tomorrow.